Ondo court remands suspect over alleged child abuse case

By Boye Oyeyemi

An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a 34-year-old Togolese national, Biola Muhammed, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor.

Muhammed, a farm worker, was arraigned by the police on a charge relating to alleged unlawful conduct involving a 13-year-old girl (name withheld).

The prosecution, led by Augustine Omheneimhen, told the court that the incident allegedly occurred on April 25, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m. within the Owena Barracks area in Akure.

He also informed the court that the case file would rely on the complainant’s statement and a medical report from the 32 Brigade Medical Centre, Nigerian Army, Akure.

The prosecutor therefore urged the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Muhammed, however, denied the allegation, stating that he did not know the complainant or her mother.

As a result, his counsel, G.O. Bernard, prayed the court to transfer the matter to a family court for appropriate handling.

In his ruling, Magistrate O.T. Lebi ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending DPP advice and adjourned the case to August 4, 2026.